• "Follow the A380"

Posted: **Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:56 pm**

I was bringing the Qantas flight 22 from Tokyo this morning into Sydney and we were getting some strange speed instructions from ATC.

At one point he apologised and said that we were following "the A380" and it needs greater than usual separation standards than normal. Sure enough, there it was about 10 miles away from us on a beautiful Sydney morning.

Then it dawned on me.... it really was "THE A380" i.e the ONLY one flying commercially at the moment. Singapore airlines is apparently getting their second one this week, but today, this was "THE A380"!!

Even though we were a long way behind it we still hit some of it's wake turbulence and spent some time rocking and rolling on downwind and again on long final.

We ended up parking next to it as well. I still think the 747 is a much prettier aeroplane from the outside but I hear they are planning to stretch the A380 by another 10 metres so that may give it a more rounded look...

Anyway, thought I'd share...

Posted: **Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:16 pm**

I saw THE A380 in Orlando a few weeks back on its world tour. Crazy big airplane, yet it doesn't look big until you have some sort of reference nearby to compare it to. I think our entire bird would have fit in one engine nacelle!

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:12 am**

Haha thats cool! And yes, I also think the 747 is prettier as well.

Posted: **Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:48 am**

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OtnL4KYVtDE&feature=related

That thing is the coolest. I love the sidewind landing.

Posted: **Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:17 pm**

How about a little A380 crosswind action?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GHrLB_mlir4&feature=related

Posted: **Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:18 pm**

Airbus A380 - cockpit

Posted: **Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:16 pm**

The Thunderbird jets need to have a tail camera like the A380, that thing is awesome!

Posted: **Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:50 pm**

Not sure if an F-16 would have much use for it apart from getting great shots of the display.

The tail camera is an aid for taxiing, there is a huge distance from the nosewheel to the mainwheels and turns on a taxiway become an issue.

It's a great cockpit though. Qantas A330 pilots who have sat in the sim have little difficulty adjusting to the differences from the A330. A few more screens (no-one ever complains about those) and a few more hydraulic and fuel pumps by the look of it. Almost makes me want to bid on to it!

I won't though, I am finally going to be in a sweet spot in a year or so. I will have my pick of flying and leave, so I don't need to fly the biggest as a willy waving exercise... just yet !